Low height USB interface connecting device and a memory storage apparatus thereof

ABSTRACT

A connecting device with a low height comprises a connector part, and a set of metal terminals. The connector part has a height compatible with the height of an inner space in a standard USB interface slot socket so as to be inserted into the standard USB interface slot socket. The set of metal terminals is arranged on the connector part and composed of a plurality of metal sheets and each metal sheet has an end disposed in the connector part and another end extending outward the connector part. The first end of the respective metal sheet in the set of metal terminals contacts with internal electronic signal of the standard USB interface slot socket and the second end of the respective metal sheet is soldered to a printed circuit board. Furthermore, the low height connecting device can be revised as an electronic connecting device capable of being inserted into the USB slot socket so that both of the connecting devices can be used in a dual interface memory storage apparatus or a memory storage apparatus.

This application is a Division of nonprovisional application Ser. No.10/058,503 filed Jan. 30, 2002 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,744,634.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a low height USB interface connectingdevice and a memory storage apparatus thereof.

2. Description of Related Art

Currently, a great variety of memory cards are available for electronicproducts and even if same type products are made from different designs,the memory card in the respective product is different from each other.Although it is so, the various memory cards have a common feature thatthe digital data in the memory cards can be transmitted to the computerfor data processing.

In order to be capable of reading data in the memory cards, various cardreaders are provided to adapt different memory cards such as a compactflash card, a SD card, a MMC card and etc. before the data can beprocessed with the computer. But, the arrangement makes the userinconvenient. Of course, a type of card reader is capable of supportingmore specifications of memory cards but it is expensive to give a greatfinancial burden to the user.

Therefore, as one of computer periphery, how to make the memory card,which is able to improve and reduce using the card reader and iscompatible with the computer interface with the existing system hardwarefor being used with more facility and in accordance with our usualoperation practice, is a subject worth us to deeply concern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The USB interface is most widely applied for data transmission between acomputer and a card reader among a lot of computer periphery interfacesso that an object of the present invention is to provide a memory cardwith a function of USB interface card reader, that is, the memory cardcan be inserted into a USB slot socket to execute a signal change andconnection with the computer without the need of a USB interface cardreader.

In order to reach the preceding object, a connector with a low thicknessis disclosed first and the connector is compatible with and insertedinto a USB slot socket in spite of being not in accordance with theindustrial standard for a USB connector. Because various memory cardsavailable provide a very thin thickness respectively, the standard USBinterface connector provides a too much high thickness to be built upwith a memory card. This is a reason that the standard USB connector isrevised in the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention can be more fully understood by reference to thefollowing description and accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional USB connector(left side) and an inserted socket (right side);

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a low height USB connector according tothe present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of circuit for dual interface memory carddevice with low height USB connector of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the dualinterface memory card with low height USB connector of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the USBinterface memory card with low height USB connector of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a disassembled perspective view and an assembledperspective view of a planar electrode contact without USB connectoraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a system block diagram of a planar electrode contact withoutUSB connector of USB interface memory card according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a planar electrode contact without USBconnector of USB interface memory card according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 9 is a system block diagram of a dual interface memory card with aplanar electrode contact without USB connector according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is a lateral sectional view of the dual interface memory cardwith a planar electrode contact without USB connector of the presentinvention;

FIG. 11 is a disassembled perspective view of the dual interface memorycard of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the dual interface memory card of the presentinvention;

FIG. 13 is a bottom view of the dual interface memory card of thepresent invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the dual interface memory card of thepresent invention illustrating a cover guard being attached to thememory card;

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram illustrating a framework of interfacesignal according to the present invention; and

FIG. 16 is a circuit diagram based on the framework of interface signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, in order to explain the principle of the presentinvention in detail, a traditional USB interface connector is describedfirst. It can be seen in FIG. 1 that a plug of the connector end is atthe left side and a slot socket of the host end is at the right side.Wherein, the reference numbers 104A and 104B are designated as a casingof the plug and a casing of the slot socket for shielding electronicsignals.

Referring to FIG. 2, a USB low height connector 100 according to thepresent invention comprises a metal terminal 101, two jut pieces 102 anda connector part 103. The metal terminal 101 is composed of a pluralityof metal sheets, which are the same as the metal sheets in the standardUSB interface connector regardless in number, distance and size. Theconnector part 103 is different from the standard USB interfaceconnector in that at both lateral sides of the connector part 103 arefixedly attached with the jut pieces 102 respectively or integrallyextend the jut pieces 102 respectively. The connector part 103 isprovided with a thickness same as the height of the inner space in thestandard USB interface slot socket (“h” in FIG. 1) such that theconnector part 103 can be inserted into the slot socket so as totransmit the signal. The respective jut piece 102 is used for preventingan incorrect signal connection resulting from the connector part 103being inserted into the slot socket inversely so that the entireconnector has a height much lower than the height of the standard USBconnector. Besides, the connector part 103 can provide an externalrecess (102A in FIG. 2) to reinforce an engaging strength thereof duringbeing inserted into the standard USB interface, like standard USBconnector, and the connector 100 can be associated with a print circuitboard 201 by way of soldering directly such that a state of closecircuit can be obtained.

Comparing to FIG. 1, it can be seen in FIG. 2 that the connector 100 ofthe present invention does not provide the casing 104A shown in FIG. 1so that the thickness of the connector 100 can be reduced greatly.Originally, the casing 104A is provided for shielding and decreasing aneffect of signal delay generating from the USB cable, Because theconnector 100 is located on the memory card, no traditional USB cable isneeded, the casing, which has the function for insulating the shieldingsignal, can be removed from the connector part 103 of the presentinvention. Hence, the USB interface connector can be flattened and theUSB interface product can be developed toward a trend of card shapedtype. A further explanation will be described hereinafter.

Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of circuit in the dual interfacememory card device disclosed in the present invention is illustrated. Itcan be seen that the memory card has two digital data transmissioninterfaces, an application system interface and a USB interface. Thedata is saved in an internal memory 160 after the data is transmitted tothe memory card from the applied system via the system connector 150.Once the memory card is taken out from the applied system, the previousdesigned USB low height connector 100 can be used for connecting withthe USB interface of the computer main unit. That is, as soon as thememory card is inserted into the USB slot socket of the computer, thedata is possible to transmit to the computer main unit without via theUSB lead wire and the USB interface card reader. Wherein, a dualinterface controller 140 provides a function of related applied systeminterfaces changing to the USB interface.

Referring to FIG. 4, one of typical examples of the dual interfacememory card according to the present invention in practice isillustrated. It can be seen that a memory card 70 attached with a coverguard 71 provides the same size as an ordinary memory card capable ofbeing used in an applied system. In case of the memory card 70 beingtaken out from the system, the exposed connector 72 can be inserted intothe USB interface slot socket as long as the cover guard 71 is detached.It is pretty convenient while in use.

Accordingly, the preceding low height connector can be utilized to guidethe USB signal to and to write data into the memory card directly andvice versa. In this way, a memory card with two different interfaceconnectors is completed. Meanwhile, a read only switch 73 and a signallight 75 is placed at the external part of the memory card for datasecurity. When the switch 73 is shifted to the read only mode, thememory card only offers a function of data read so that it is notpossible to write the data into the memory card. Once the switch 73 isshifted to the normal mode, the memory card can be used normally with afunction of read and write and the signal light 75 is used to indicatethe working status of the USB device.

In order to simplify the entire system further and the applicationsystem interface being deleted, the USB interface system can be remainedunchanged and the low height connector can be made as a super thin USBinterface memory card as shown in FIG. 5. It can be seen that the USBinterface memory card shown in FIG. 5 is provided with a lighter,thinner, shorter and smaller size in contrast to a memory device withcurrent standard USB interface connector. It means the traditional USBinterface memory device can be flattened in shape by way of thetechnique disclosed in the present invention so that it can be aninnovative product design.

Referring to FIG. 2 again, the signal may enter the memory storageapparatus after passing through the metal terminal 101 of the connector100 by way of the terminal 101 being soldered to metal conductive padsof the printed circuit board 201. It is known that soldered joints onthe circuit may result in a change of impedance of transmission line toinfluence the high-speed transmission for data. Hence, how to remove thesoldered joints is another object of the present invention. A way toeliminate the soldered joints can be done by way of the signal touchingthe metal conductive pieces of the printed circuit board in the memorystorage apparatus via the USB terminal of the main unit instead of usinga connector. This is a design concept of so-called golden fingerrecognized by the makers, that is, the direct contact is used instead ofthe connector for circuit connection to enhance the electronic featureof the memory storage apparatus during performing high-speedtransmission.

Referring to FIG. 6, a principle of design with no connector isillustrated further. A planar electrode contact without USB connector110 with a USB contact end is shown in FIG. 6 and the entire height ofthe connector 110 can be received in the USB slot socket of the mainunit after a printed circuit board 202 being associated with a base 113and the fool proof jut piece 112 is integral with the casing 114 anddisposed at two opposite lateral sides of the printed circuit board 202.The metal connective pieces 111 laid out on the printed circuit board202 are utilized to replace the metal terminal 101 shown in FIG. 2.Hence, once the preceding connector is assembled, it provides a functionsame as the connector shown in FIG. 2 so that the planar electrodecontact 110 can be used instead of the traditional USB connector anddeficiency generated from the soldered joints on the circuit can beeliminated completely. In addition, the process for setting up theproduct during production operation can be simplified substantially.Besides, the base 113 can also provide an external recess (112A in FIG.13) to reinforce an engaging strength thereof during being inserted intothe standard USB interface, like standard USB connector.

Referring to FIG. 7, a system block diagram of the USB memory cardsystem according to the present invention is illustrated. The system 500comprises a printed circuit board with USB gold contacts 501, a USBcontroller 502 and a memory components array 503. As the foregoing, thesignal in the storage apparatus dose not pass through the connector andthe soldered joints any more and connects with USB metal terminal of thehost connector to form a close circuit.

Referring to FIG. 8, a USB interface data storage apparatus with a USBinterface planar electrode contact, which is disclosed in the presentinvention, is illustrated. The thickness of the memory storage apparatusshown in FIG. 8 has greatly reduced and it effectively enhances theportability with more facility. The planar electrode contact without USBconnector 300A is formed by way of the same principle of design as shownin FIG. 6. A signal light 114A is arranged on the memory card forindicating the working status of the storage apparatus. A read onlyswitch 202C is provided to prevent the data from being covered ordeleted accidentally so that the security for data can be enhancedeffectively.

From the preceding method, a new USB storage apparatus is disclosedfurther and the new USB memory storage apparatus not only provides amuch lower height than that used in the conventional USB connector butalso does not need the connector to reduce extra soldered joints.

Furthermore, the USB interface planar electrode contact disclosed in thepresent invention can be mounted to various currently used memorystorage apparatus to lower down the height of the standard USB connectorpart such that it is capable of being developed a novel storageapparatus with two different interface connectors. The novel storageapparatus with two different connectors will be described furtherhereinafter. Referring to FIG. 9, a system block diagram for a memorystorage apparatus with the preceding USB interface connector such as amemory stick card, a SD card, etc. and with an application system.Wherein, the system 500A comprises a preceding USB planar electrodecontact 504, a connector 505 for a conventional application system, acontroller 506 with dual interface signal switch for changing data toUSB signal and application interface signal and a group of memory array507.

In order to explain a real design of the block diagram illustrated inFIG. 9, the memory stick card is taken as an example for the systemdesign and the design method disclosed hereinafter also can be appliedto other memory storage apparatus as long as a framework can be arrangedproperly. Referring to FIG. 10, it can be seen from the sectional viewof the memory stick card that there is a USB signal contact end 300provided for reading and writing USB signal and there is an interfaceend 400 of the memory stick card (application system) provided withdifferent specifications depending on different memory cards. That is,the memory storage apparatus is capable of having two differentinterface ends, a USB interface end and an application interface end,wherein, the USB interface end acts as an interface for being connectedto the host end signal and the application interface end such as MMC,SD, . . . , and etc. for connecting signal between the device and theapplication system.

When the memory storage apparatus shown in FIG. 10 has performed the jobthereof in the application system of the memory stick card and is takenout from the system, a USB interface connector 300 at another endthereof can send data to the computer via the USB interface. The USBinterface connector 300 can be inserted into host USB slot socket sothat it is not necessary to carry out the data transmission via a cardreader. A printed circuit board 202 on the surface thereof bears circuitcomponents 202A and the casings 114 and 113A enclose the printed circuitboard 202. Gold contacts 111, 111A are arranged on the printed circuitboard 202 and form as a USB contact conductor and a contact conductor ofthe memory stick card.

It is summarized from the preceding description that the presentinvention discloses how to reduce the height of the USB connector inFIG. 2 for being capable of applying to the existing memory card andfurther discloses how to remove the connector for decreasing the numberof soldered joints on the circuit and enhancing the performance of thecircuit with a moderate reluctance under high speed signal transmission.

Referring to FIG. 11, it can be seen from the disassembled perspectiveview that the memory storage apparatus, for instance, the memory stickcard, provides a printed circuit board 202 and two casings 114 and 113A.It is learned from the block diagram in FIG. 9 and the disassembledperspective view that the USB interface connector is not included in thememory storage apparatus of the present invention any more, and a signallight 114A can be fixedly attached to the casing 114 to indicate thework status of the memory storage apparatus as the preceding embodimentdoes. In addition, a read only switch 202B is arranged on the memorystorage apparatus to prevent the data from being written, covered ordeleted in case of the read only switch 202B being shifted to a propermode. Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, it can be learned from the top viewand the bottom view of the memory storage apparatus that two differentinterface contacts 300, 400 are provided and the interface contact 300is a USB interface contact arranged on the memory card in accordancewith the design way disclosed in the present invention so that it allowsthe memory card to keep the feature of low height. Further, a coverguard can be added to protect parts of the USB contact. FIG. 14 shows amovable cover guard 301, which may be detachable or fixedly attached toconnector.

As the foregoing, if the interface at the application system end isremoved and the USB interface remains unchanged, a memory storageapparatus with USB interface only can be formed. Comparing to a memorystorage apparatus with conventional USB interface, the memory storageapparatus according to the present invention is much thinner, lightershorter and smaller in size for being carried about easily. Therefore,it is hardly said the present invention is not a novel, creative andadvanced invention.

The planar electrode contact USB connecting device disclosed in thepresent invention provides no connector and has to satisfy portabilityespecially in practice so that it is necessary to consider a timedifference between the work status of the interface controller and thework status displayed by the system, that is, it is possible to cause atime difference between the work status displayed by the system and thework status of the real device. This is a point has to be confirmedstrictly for the design of detachably portable device, otherwise, it isvery likely to mislead the user due to individual different systemdesign such that the device is detached accidentally before completingthe job thereof to result in the data in device being damaged.

However, the standard USB interface signal is not sufficient to offer asolution so that a new interface signal is designed in the presentinvention to solve the preceding problem thoroughly. Referring to FIG.15, an interface signal framework 508 (corresponding to the circuitboard 202 in FIG. 6) comprises a power supply (V_(bus)) for offering aworking voltage, a signal group including a D+ and a D− signals, aground signal (power GND) to constitute a standard USB interface signalgroup. The difference of the present invention from the conventional USBinterface signal is that an apparatus work signal group is providedadditionally. The work signal group supplies a work signal forindicating the work status of the apparatus and the D+ and D− signalsare data signals in accordance with the specification of the standardUSB interface. The apparatus work signal group is supplied by theapparatus end connects with the controller of the apparatus end by wayof a necessary circuit.

Wherein, the power supply (V_(bus)) can support 5 volts, 3.3 volts, 2.5volts and 1.8 volts so that it is possible for the power supply to offera working voltage in different specifications. The apparatus workingsignal group includes a work signal W/R and a power providing signal P.In case of the device being designed as a memory storage apparatus suchas the USB memory card, the work signal W/R indicates if there is anydata being transmitted on the interface (read/write). In case of thedevice being input/out apparatus such as a USB network card, the worksignal W/R indicates if there is any data being transmitted on theinterface (upload/download).

Referring to FIG. 16, a circuit diagram with an interface signalframework is illustrated. The W/R work signal is supplied by aninterface controller 509 and as soon as the data is transmitted on theUSB interface, a signal light such as LED arranged at the external partof the device can be triggered via the W/R signal. Hence, the user canconfirm the actual work status of the interface controller through anexternal signal light 114C to prevent the device from being removed fromthe system accidentally.

When the device is used for the standard USB interface slot socket, thestandard USB interface does not support W/R signal so that the deviceitself has to have a data signal light. Meanwhile, the W/R signal cantrigger a signal light 114A arranged in the device. By the same token,the power providing signal P provides the same principle of beingactuated. Referring to FIG. 16 again, as soon as the USB interface isinserted, the interface controller 509 can offer a power providingsignal P to trigger a signal light 114D arranged on the host. The signallight 114D is used for indicating if the device is in a state ofelectricity consuming work or in a state of electricity consuming alert.Similarly, the providing signal P can also trigger the power signallight 114B arranged in the device.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferredembodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modifications orvariations may be easily made without departing from the spirit of thisinvention, which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low profile USB interface memory storageapparatus, comprising: a casing, receiving and bearing followingcomponents; a printed circuit board, being arranged in the casing,providing a layout of lead wire circuit; a memory array, at leastcomprising a memory component as a data storage apparatus; a controller,being disposed in the casing, being provided with a layout of requiredcircuit for completing transmission and transformation between USBinterface signal and data signal and saving data into the memory array;and an interface connector having the height compatible with thedistance between the receptacle contact and bottom of the USB connectorslot which to be inserted, which exposing outward the casing, providinga connecting joint to connect with the printed circuit board.
 2. Thestorage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said interface connectoris a low height connecting device.
 3. The storage apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein said circuit is provided with a read only switch ordevice exposing externally.
 4. The storage apparatus according to claim1, wherein a signal light is mounted externally.
 5. The storageapparatus according to claim 1, wherein a detachable cover guard isprovided to fit with and protect the connector.